In a controversy generating widespread backlash, an internal email reveals that the White House press office altered the transcript of President Joe Biden’s recent statement, where he referred to Donald Trump’s supporters as “garbage.” The change, which reportedly went against the documented record provided by the Stenographer’s Office, is causing significant debate and potentially sparking an investigation by House Republicans.
The incident unfolded following a speech Biden gave to a Latino group, during which he referenced a comedian’s remarks at a recent Trump rally in Madison Square Garden. Biden quoted a joke comparing Puerto Rico to “a floating island of garbage,” and then stated, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.” The unsparing remark drew immediate attention, with many seeing it as an insult to Trump’s entire supporter base. However, the White House press office’s subsequent actions have added another layer to the controversy.
In a surprising move, the White House press office modified the official transcript of Biden’s speech, inserting an apostrophe to suggest Biden was referencing only one “supporter’s” views—implying the “garbage” remark targeted only the comedian rather than Trump’s supporters at large. This alteration, made without the approval of the Stenographer’s Office, has raised concerns over protocol breaches and the accuracy of official records.
An internal email obtained by the Associated Press (AP) shows that the supervisor of the Stenographer’s Office expressed frustration over the press office’s unauthorized change. The email noted that, while the press office has the right to withhold a transcript, it cannot independently alter it without proper clearance. “If there is a difference in interpretation, the Press Office may choose to withhold the transcript but cannot edit it independently,” the supervisor reportedly wrote, describing the incident as “a breach of protocol and transcript integrity.”
According to the AP report, the White House requested a rapid transcript following Biden’s remarks, given the strong backlash they generated. Republican lawmakers and Trump supporters reacted swiftly, claiming that Biden’s comment insulted a large swath of American voters. Representative Byron Donalds of Florida condemned Biden’s comment in a social media post, writing, “Obama called us clingers. Hillary called us deplorables. Kamala calls us fascists. And Biden just called us garbage.” Donalds argued that such remarks display a lack of respect for Americans and contrast with Trump’s vision for unity.
Obama called us clingers.
Hillary called us deplorables.
Kamala calls us fascists.
And Biden just called us garbage.They don’t respect us & don’t want unity.
But we do.
We want to Make America Great Again.
Our coalition is for ALL AMERICANS.
And in 7 days, we will UNITE… pic.twitter.com/WYZePbYOyK— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) October 30, 2024
As news of the transcript alteration spread, two points gained traction: first, that Biden referred to Trump supporters as “garbage” in his speech, and second, that the White House then altered the record. Many Republicans argue that this alteration constitutes a serious misrepresentation of Biden’s remarks and represents an unacceptable manipulation of an official document. House Republicans have signaled an interest in investigating the matter to ensure transparency and integrity in government communications.
In response to the controversy, a White House spokesperson defended the press office’s actions. Speaking to The New York Post, White House spokesman Andrew Bates argued that the transcript reflects Biden’s intent to respond only to the comedian’s derogatory remarks, not all Trump supporters. “The President confirmed in his tweet on Tuesday evening that he was addressing the hateful rhetoric from the comedian at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally,” Bates explained. He maintained that this clarification was conveyed in the adjusted transcript.
However, the move has drawn criticism from both the media and political circles. Reporters and political analysts have pointed out that the Stenographer’s Office is held to high standards of professionalism and accuracy, serving as a trusted source for accurately documenting presidential statements. Deviating from that process, they argue, undermines the credibility of the official record and erodes public trust.
In a follow-up message, the supervisor of the Stenographer’s Office underscored the importance of protocol, stating, “Regardless of urgency, it is essential to our transcripts’ authenticity and legitimacy that we adhere to consistent protocol for requesting edits, approval, and release.” The supervisor’s message reflects a commitment to maintaining the integrity of official transcripts, especially on sensitive issues.
Harris-Biden staffers intentionally altered the official transcript of Biden calling Trump supporters “garbage” — ignoring objections from career government stenographers in a bid to cover for Kamala’s campaign.
“This is a MASSIVE scandal.” @StephenM pic.twitter.com/5Eljs0JOgD
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 1, 2024
Republican leaders and Trump’s supporters have been quick to seize on the controversy. At a recent rally in Wisconsin, Trump appeared alongside a garbage truck, sporting a garbageman’s vest to symbolize Biden’s “garbage” comment. “How do you like my garbage truck?” Trump quipped, addressing the crowd. “This truck is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden.” In his speech, Trump went on to call his supporters “the heart and soul of America,” in contrast to the characterization from Biden’s comment.
The timing of this scandal is particularly delicate. With only days remaining until Election Day, polling remains close, and this incident could have a ripple effect in critical battleground states where public opinion on Biden’s remarks might sway undecided voters. Republicans argue that the altered transcript casts doubt on the White House’s commitment to transparency, while the Biden-Harris campaign contends that the change merely clarified Biden’s intent.
Regardless of intent, the controversy over Biden’s remark and the subsequent White House actions highlights the role of transparency and authenticity in maintaining public trust. With each side framing the incident to rally their supporters, the effects of this dispute may extend beyond Election Day, affecting how future administrations handle official records and public accountability.